Indian Football Club Kerala Blasters FC announced their new Brand Ambassador and he is not a Footballer. Indian Cricketer Sanju Samson ties his ropes with the Football Club on Monday. He could make his first appearance as the brand ambassador on February 26, when the club faces Hyderabad FC in its last game of the season.

Sanju Samson is the Local lad of Kerala. He represents Rajasthan Royals as a Captain In Indian Premier League. Samson is an Inspiration in Kerala and also in the Country among Men & Women. He will now represent the values of KBFC on and off the field.

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Sanju expressed his excitement at the appointment and said, "As my father was a professional football player, football has always been a sport close to my heart. I am honored to be the brand ambassador of Kerala Blasters FC. The club has done so much since its inception to bring back the glory of football to this state. In the process, they have built and cultivated one of the most loyal fanbases in the country. I can't wait to watch a match at the Kaloor stadium with the fans and support the team."

"Sanju is a national icon, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the KBFC family," said Nikhil Bharadwaj, Director, of Kerala Blasters FC

He also added- "In this ambassadorial role, we look forward to working with Sanju to amplify the club's grassroots & community initiatives, and fan events, and share his passion for the club and game".

The 2025-26 Ranji Trophy is the 91st season of India’s premier first-class cricket tournament, scheduled to take place from October 15, 2025, to February 28, 2026. IDFC First Bank will sponsor the event, with 38 teams participating in this edition. 

All these 38 teams are divided into two main categories: the Elite group, comprising 32 teams split into four groups of eight teams each, and the Plate group, consisting of 6 teams.

Several star players will play by their respective states in first matchday of Ranji Trophy 2025-26. Let's have a look at the 5 star players to watch out this season.

Also Read: Ranji Trophy 2025-26: Which matches will be streamed LIVE?

1. Sanju Samson

India wicketkeeper batter Sanju Samson will appear for Kerala in its opening Ranji Trophy 2025-26 match against Maharashtra at Thiruvananthapuram. This will be Samson’s first red-ball game of the season, as he was not a part of either Duleep Trophy or Irani Cup. The 30-year-old’s previous first-class match came against Karnataka in October last year.

Sanju Samson, who is not part of India’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia, is expected to play a few Ranji matches before joining the T20I team later in October. However, it’s still unclear how many games he will feature in for Kerala this season.

2. Ruturaj Gaikwad

Ruturaj Gaikwad, a consistent performer for both Maharashtra and India, will be a key part of the Maharashtra lineup for the upcoming Ranji season. Gaikwad has captained Maharashtra team in the past.

Coming to his First-Class stats, Gaikwad has 14 half-century in the format. He also has eight tons to his name. In 40 matches, the Maharashtra batter has propelled to 2,848 runs in red-ball cricket. The opener carries an average of over 42.50.

3. Rajat Patidar

Rajat Patidar has been appointed captain of the Madhya Pradesh cricket team in Ranji Trophy 2025-26 season. Patidar impressed everyone by leading Madhya Pradesh to the final, narrowly losing to Mumbai. Patidar’s leadership credentials were further boosted after he led the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to their maiden IPL title earlier this year and the Central Zone to the historic Duleep Trophy triumph.

The Madhya Pradesh batter has so far struck 15 centuries and 27 half-centuries in the format. This season, Rajat Patidar has already hit two centuries and three half-centuries in seven innings, including a match-winning hundred in the Duleep Trophy final.

4. Mohammed Shami

India pacer Mohammed Shami is set to make his domestic return in the upcoming Ranji Trophy 2025–26 season for Bengal. Shami, who was not picked in India’s ODI squad against Australia, will spearhead the Bengal's pace attack.

Shami hasn't played for India since featuring in the Champions Trophy in early March. So far, since the end of IPL 2025 in June, Shami has featured in just one first-class game, for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy. In that game, he sent down 34 overs across the two innings, picking up one wicket. In the second innings of that match, Shami didn't bowl much on the final day in a game East Zone lost after conceding a big first-innings lead.

Also Read: BCCI Domestic Season 2025-26: Key dates, fixtures and schedule

5. Abhimanyu Easwaran

Bengal’s consistent top-order batter Abhimanyu Easwaran will lead the Bengal team this season. Easwaran struck three half-centuries in five innings for India A after the previous domestic season had concluded. His most-recent fifty for Bengal was for Rest of India in the 2025 Irani Cup.  

Despite proving his mettle in domestic cricket, Easwaran is yet to make his debut for India. He was part of the squad that travelled to Australia and England, but couldn’t break into the playing XI. With Rohit Sharma opting out of the first Test against Australia in Adelaide, Easwaran was expected to make his debut, but the team management instead preferred KL Rahul, who is now a mainstay at the top of the order.

Rahul Dravid has decided to part ways with Rajasthan Royals as a head coach ahead of the 2026 IPL season, after turning down a "broader position" within the franchise. Rajasthan Royals announce this on Saturday.

The Indian team won the T20 World Cup last year under the coaching of Rahul Dravid. After this, his contract ended. After leaving the post of head coach of the Indian team, Dravid joined Rajasthan Royals as a head coach ahead of IPL 2025. However, the performance of the RR team was quite disappointing. Now, after just one season, Dravid has decided to part ways with the team.

Also Read: Value of the IPL Franchises since 2008 to the present

'Rahul has been central to the Royals' journey'

Official Statement pic.twitter.com/qyHYVLVewz

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) August 30, 202

Rajasthan Royals posted on social media X and informed about Dravid's resignation. The franchise wrote, "Rahul has been central to the Royals' journey for many years. His leadership has influenced a generation of players, instilled strong values within the squad, and left an indelible mark on the culture of the franchise,"

"As part of the franchise structural review, Rahul had been offered a broader position at the franchise but has chosen not to take this. The Rajasthan Royals, its players, millions of fans worldwide extend heartfelt thanks to Rahul for his remarkable service to the franchise," the statement added.

The franchise said that Rahul Dravid was offered some other position instead of the head coach. He refused this and resigned.

RR won only 4 matches in 2025

Former Indian captain Rahul Dravid was part of Rajasthan Royals as a player from 2011 to 2015. He then returned to the franchise last year. The Royals' 2025 campaign was disappointing. The team won only 4 matches in 14 matches. Rajasthan Royals finished 9th in the table with 8 points. The franchise has not won any title since the first season of IPL.

Also Read: Will Sanju Samson join CSK for IPL 2026? Manager's hint fuels mega transfer rumours

Samson to leave the franchise?

Interestingly, the Royals announcement comes amidst rumours that skipper Sanju Samson also wants to leave the franchise. If Samson also leaves the side, it will leave the Royals in a tricky position a few months before the mini auction.

The Durand Cup was first held in Shimla which was a popular retreat for the British back in the day. Sir Henry Durand was recovering from an illness in the hill station and realised the importance of physical health for soldiers in the Army.

There were several army regiments and military units that were originally involved in the tournament and it became an inter-regiment tournament essentially.

They were initially only inclined towards playing Hockey given the popularity of the sport in India at that time but football gradually picked up.

FT| #NEUFC 6-1 #DHFC

A dominating performance by #NEUFC from start to finish as the defending champions successfully retain the title.

A statement win! History Created!#NEUFCDHFC #FINAL #134thEditionofIndianOilDurandCup #PoweredBySBIandCoalIndia #DurandCup2025… pic.twitter.com/IQbAnW5tdq

— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 23, 2025

The event itself was a major deal and people came from all across the country to watch the final which was a highly publicised event. It was also a great platform for Indian football clubs to defeat the British regiments which of course, rarely happened at that time.

However, events post World War II that also involved the cancellation and relocation of the tournament ushered a new era for Indian football.

The Durand Cup was later shifted to Delhi post 1940 and opened for civilian clubs and teams. This brought in the likes of Mohammedan, Salgaocar, East Bengal and all the other legendary I-League teams that have since dominated the proceedings.

It is now held under the Durand Football Tournament Society and has been the continuously held every year to attract top Indian teams and players from leagues such as the ISL, I-league and even Armed forces football teams.

The inclusion of ISL and Armed forces teams has helped expand the reach of the tournament.

Take a look at some of the winners and runner-ups of Durand Cup, one of the most popular football tournaments in India. Durand Cup has been a success for many years with all the details about the show since 2000.

Read More: https://sportzpoint.com/football/premier-league-stats-man-city-players-leading-all-charts-in-goals-assists-passes-and-clean-sheets/

Most Durand Cup Wins:

Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan are the most successful teams in the history of the tournament winning it a record 17 and 16 times respectively.

Royal Scouts Fusiliers were the first-ever winners and Mohammedan Sporting were the first Indian to win the competition. Bengaluru Fc are the reigning champions.

For more Durand Cup news and articles, follow Sportz Point.

East Bengal is one of Asia's biggest and most supported football clubs. In October 2020, the club was voted as the most popular football club in India on an AFC poll by its supporters.

The East Bengal Club was established on 1st August 1920 by Suresh Chandra Chaudhury along with some other dignitaries, and the club's first captain was Ramesh Chandra Sen.

The Kolkata-based club has created a lot of records and won so many trophies. The Football club was going through a tough phase as they hadn't won a major trophy since the 2013-14 season.

But, under the new Manager and coaching staff, the Red & Gold Brigade are playing good football. So, let's look at the trophies East Bengal has won in its footballing history.

East Bengal FC Trophies List

East Bengal played their first match in the 1920 Hercules Cup, which was a 7-a-side tournament that they won. They won their first-ever full tournament in 1921 and lifted the Khogendra Shield.

The Red and Gold brigade qualified for the Calcutta Football League 1st division in 1925. They won their first 1st title in 1942. Then the Kolkata-based club lifted their first IFA Shield in 1943. In 1945, East Bengal won their first double, claiming both the Calcutta Football League and the IFA Shield.

From 1949-51, East Bengal became the first team to make a hat-trick of wins in the IFA Shield. In 1972, East Bengal won the Calcutta Football League, IFA Shield, Durand Cup, and Rovers Cup in a single season, becoming the first team to do so.

In 1972, East Bengal also made a record of being the first and till date, only Indian team to win the Calcutta Football League without conceding a single goal, which they again repeated in 1991.

East Bengal won its first First Division league title in 1942 and has since won it a record 39 times. They have also won eight Federation Cups, three Super Cups, a record 29 IFA Shields, the Kuladakanta Shield, and MLA CUP, alongside 16 Durand Cup titles, making the club one of the most decorated in Indian football.

Khalid Jamil has been named as the new head coach of the Indian Men's Senior Football team, as AIFF chose him over Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic from the final list. With Jamil becoming the new boss of the Blue Tigers, we present you with the stats and history of his career as a football manager so far.

Read Also: Football facts: Five managers who have coached Club and country at the same time

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐁𝐎𝐒𝐒 🇮🇳

Khalid Jamil has been named the new head coach of the Indian Men's Senior Football team.

Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic were the other finalised names, but AIFF have gone for the Jamshedpur FC coach.#AIFF #IndianFootball #KhalidJamil pic.twitter.com/KrnxkQUB6F

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) August 1, 2025

Khalid Jamil stats as manager

Since retiring as a professional footballer, Jamil started his managerial career with Mumbai FC in 2009. Jamil went on to coach them for 7 years until he joined Aizawl FC in December 2016. It was with Aizawl FC where his career took a turn after leading them to a miraculous I-League title in the 2016/17 season.

After the I-League success, Khalid coached two Kolkata giants, first East Bengal in the 2017-18 season and then ATK Mohun Bagan (which is now Mohun Bagan Super Giant) in the next season.

Read Also: Every Indian Team Football Coach Since 1948

However, Khalid did not get that much success with those two Kolkata clubs, and he joined Northeast United FC as the academy head in 2019. From 2019-22, Jamil served as Assistant manager, caretaker manager and then head coach of NEUFC. After that, he spent one season with Bengaluru United.

Finally, in 2023, he arrived at Jamshedpur FC, where he showed his class as the head coach and uplifted a few young Indian talents as well. Last season under him, Jamshedpur FC reached the semi-finals of the Indian Super League as well, and Khalid became the first Indian coach to achieve that feat.

His experince and understanding of Indian football is supposed to be a ground-breaking factor for the upcoming few months of Indian football.

Data by transfermarkt.